Can changing devices

ABSTRACT

In a sliver can changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery passing sliver along a given direction to at least two sliver cans in a filling position simultaneously, means for moving at least two cans out of a reserve position into the filling position and then out of the filling position into an ejection position, the movement of the empty cans into the machine being perpendicular to the direction of sliver travel in the machine and the cans after being filled being ejected in the same direction as the direction of the sliver travel in the machine, drive means and at least one support part for holding the cans in the filling position and centering them for concentric rotation in the filling position.

United States Patent, 1 1

Schneider et a1.

[ 1 CAN CHANGING DEVICES [75] Inventors: Gottfried Schneider; Friedrich Hauner, Ingolstadt, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Schubert & Salzer Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft, Ingolstadt, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 244,974

- Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser No. 33,724, May 1, 1970,

v[111 3,808,641 May 7,1974

865,820 4/1961 Great Britain 19/159 A Primary Examin'er-Dorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert W. Beach [5 7] ABSTRACT In a sliver can changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery passing sliver along a given direction to at least two sliver cans in a filling position simultaneously, means for moving at least two cans out of a reserve position into the filling position and then out of the filling position into an ejection position, the movement of the empty cans into the machine being perpendicular to the direction of sliver travel in the machine and the cans after being filled being ejected in the same direction as the direction of the sliver travel in the machine, drive means and at least one support part for holding the cans in the filling position and centering them for concentric rotation in the filling position.

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CAN CHANGING DEVICES This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 033,724, filed May 1, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field to which Invention Relates The present invention relates to textile'sliver handling equipment and is more particularly concerned with can changing devices for the simultaneous change over of two or more adjacent cans which during filling are rotated, the movement of the cans taking place from a reserve position into the filling position and out of the filling position into an ejection position. In particular the invention is concerned with such devices in which the movement of the empty cans into the machine delivering sliver takes place in' a direction perpendicular to the direction of sliver travel in the machine and the full cans are ejected in the direction of sliver travel. The invention is also concerned with methods for the simultaneous replacement of two or more such adjacent cans which during filling are caused to rotate.

2. The Prior Art In accordance with a previous proposal empty cans were to be moved for filling into a drawing frame or another machine delivering sliver as a preparation for spinning, the movement of the empty cans into the machine being from the side, while after filling the full cans were to be ejected in a forward direction parallel to the direction of travel of the sliver. Various proposals were made to carry out this can change over by shifting means such as forks and conveyer belts automatically (see German patent specifications 1,036,136, l,2l8,9l3', 1,266,672). This type of can change over has more particularly the advantage that for the supply and removal of the cans and spatial arrangement is favourable and it is relatively simple to produce a connection with the next textile processing machine (see German patent specification 1,265,014). Furthermore these previously proposed devices involved the changing of two or more adjacent cans simultaneously.

However, in this respect there is the difficulty that the adjacent cans in the filling position which rotate have to be held concentrically on their turntables and the cans have 'to be centered. In particular in the case of large can diameters the conventional tilting forks or arms are not applicable for several cans standing side by side since, owing to their necessary length, they cannot be swung inside the sliver processing machine itself. Centering means in the form of an annular step or projection on the turntables are not applicable in the case of cans with wheels or castors for supporting them on the ground. Furthermore, the automatic displacement of the cans out of the filling position is made impossible owing to the weight and the pressure exerted by the material against the coiler plate. Although this difficulty can be avoided by making the can turntables capable of being lowered, such an arrangement is comparatively involved and constitutes a substantial increase in cost of the device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide a two or more can changing device in which also cans with a large diameter or with ground engaging wheels can be automatically displaced using simple means and can be held in the filling position and centered.

The invention consists in a sliver can changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery passing sliver along a given direction to at least two sliver cans in a filling position simultaneously, comprising means for moving at least two cans out of reserve position into the filling position and then out of the filling position into an ejection position, the movement of the empty cans into the machine being perpendicular to the direction of sliver travel in the machine and the cans after being filled being ejected in the same direction as the direction of the sliver travel in the machine, drive means and at least one support part for holding the cans in the filling position and centering them for concentric rotation in the filling position.

With such an arrangement the cans are held reliably and in a simple manner in the filling position and on the other hand can easily be shifted automatically. Conveniently at least one support part is arranged to be moved out of the ejection path of the cans. In accordance with a particular form of the invention the device has a displacing fork which centers the cans in a direction perpendicular to the sliver travel direction and a support part centering the respective can in the direction of travel of the sliver.

In accordance with a further preferred feature of the invention for locating heavy cans more reliably the pivotally arranged support part is arranged to be positively held in a support position by the driving means and can be released by it.

Conveniently the support part can be arranged to be in the form of a support roller engaging the periphery of the can in order to reduce friction.

The invention also consists in a method of changing sliver cans in connection with a sliver processing machine passing sliver in a given direction'to at least two sliver cans rotating in a filling position simultaneously, the cans while empty being moved into the filling position in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the sliver in the machine while the cans when filled are moved out of the filling position in the same direction as the direction of the sliver travel in the machine, first drive means serving for bringing the cans into the filling position being arranged to remain in a position corresponding to the moved in position of the cans, while second driving means serving for ejecting the cans from the filling position also serve to move the LIST OF FIGURES OF DRAWINGS Further details of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan of one type of mechanism in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are vertical sections through such' mechanism taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing parts in different operating positions.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan of a modified form of mechanism generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 1,

2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan of another embodiment of the invention and FIG. 6 is a similar view showing parts in different operative positions.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan of a different embodiment of the mechanism of the invention and FIG. 8 is a similar view with parts in different positions.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan of mechanism embodying still a further form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS the cans can be displaced in the direction in which thetextile sliver is conveyed into the filling position K and also into the discharge position K. The invention is described with reference to devices for two cans K, and K although it is applicable to more than two cans if the parts of the device are suitably adapted and duplicated.

' The displacement of the cans in a direction which is transverse in relation to the direction of conveyance of the textile sliver is preferably carried out by means of a displacing fork I with arms 11 and 12, the arm I] being made so broad that the cans adjacent to each other are held at the necessary spacing for the filling 'position. For the displacement movement a displacing motor 16 drives-a threaded spindle 13 on which the fork l is arranged and is displaced in the manner of a nut. The fork is moved backwards and forwards in accordance with the direction of rotation of the spindle 13. The spindle 13 with the fork l is mounted in a slotted tube 14 which can be turned by a motor 15 through an angle of approximately 90 so that the fork I is tilted in order to release the cans K,, K before returning into the starting position or in order toengage the cans K, and K located in the supply position, for moving them into the machine. In order to ensure that the cans are moved into the supply position with the necessary spacing between them, on the base a guide rail 42 is provided whose breadth corresponds to the desired spacing. Also for lateral guidance of the cans on ejection a guide rail 41 may be provided as shown in FIG. 4.

For displacement in the sliver conveying direction a driver 2 is used which can be driven by a toothed rack 21 which in turn is driven by a pinion turned by a shifting motor 22. Naturally it is possible to provide other driving or shifting means for displacement of the cans, for example conveying belts or chains which are provided with suitable driving elements for the cans. In the filling position the cans K, and K are each mounted on turntables 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) underneath the sliver delivery or deposit device of the textile machine in question. It is necessary to hold the rotating cans in the filling position K so as to be centered with respect to the axes of rotation of the turntables 4 in order to prevent them from being displaced laterally and in order to ensure a regular deposit of the sliver in the cans. In the case of changing of only one can this requirement is met by the use of displacing forks or, in the case of revolving can changing mechanisms, by the rotating magazine.

In the case of several automatically changed cans in order to bring about a satisfactory centering in a simple manner, the device in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. l-3 to have a support part 3 which can be swung vertically about a pivot 31 and which is urged by a spring 32 into the support upper position shown in FIG. 2. If the spring force is not sufficient for, slidable centering, the'support part 3 can also be provided with a positive check means in its support position. For this purpose hooks 18 are provided on the arm 11 of the displacing fork l which fit over the support part 3 when the displacing fork I has moved the cans K, and K, into the filling position. Since in the inward 'path and the outward path no conventional guide rails can be provided, the cans are centered by the arms 11 and 12 of the displacing fork I on the one hand and are centered and held by the support part 3 restraining movement of the cans in a direction perpendicular to such first direction. Before the driver 2 comes into operation for ejection of the full cansinto the ejection position K,", K," the displacing fork I is swung upwards by motor 15 turning slotted tube 14 and thus releases the support part 3. While the raised displacing fork l is brought into its starting position by rotation of spindle l3 driven by the displacing motor 16, the filled cans K, and K are moved out of the filling position K into the ejection position K" by the driver 2. By such movement the cans press the support part 3, freed from the hooks 18 on arm 11, to swing it downward into the base so that the cans can be slid over the support part. As soon as the cans have been moved over' the support part 3, the

spring 32 swings the support part 3 up again into its support position.

The displacing fork 1 has in the meantime returned to its starting position and has swung its arms 11 and 12 between the next cans K, and K such as shown in FIG. 6 ready for being shifted into thefilling position. Before such a movement is carried out, the driver 2 must have first returned into its starting position as shown in FIG. .1. By providing additional shifting arms and an extension of the driver 2 and of the support part 3 it is possible in the same manner to change more than two cans and center them in the filling position.

The embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 4 differs from the device just described only in that instead of a single support part 3 two support parts 5 and 6, one for each can, are provided. The function of the device is consequently substantially the same as that described above. For the can K, a support part 5, which can be swung horizontally about a shaft 51 is provided in the filling position. This support part 5 is also urged constantly by a spring 52 into thesupport position and is also positively held in this position by the hook IS on the arm II of the displacing fork during the fillingof the can. The can K is held in the filling position by means of a rigidly arranged support roller 6 which isheld on the machine frame by means of a bar 66. The roller 6 extends into the ejection path of the can K As long'as thedisplacing fork l is in the position shown, both cans are held during their rotary movement and filling. When the cans are full, the fork l is swung by the motor forming tube 14 through 90 upwards about the axis of such tube and is brought into the position shown in FIG. 6 for the insertion of the next cans K, and K,'. The cans K, and K are thus released for ejection, and the support part 5 is also released. If the driver 2 is now actuated by means of the motor 22, the can K, on being ejected will displace the support part 5 to the side so that the support part is swung out of the ejection path. The can K on the other hand because the arm 11 has been withdrawn from its can-holding position, can be displaced laterally and moved past the support roller 6. When the cans have reached the ejection position K", shown in FIG. 3 the driver 2 moves back into its starting position and the support part 5 it swung back into the support position of FIG. 4 by spring 52. When the displacing fork 1 has moved the next cansK, and K, into the sliver receiving position, the support part 5 is again positively checked with the can in such position. The working procedure is then repeated.

The pivoted support part can also be in the form of a support roller 61 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The support roller 61 can be carried by a pivoted arm swingable about the vertical shaft 63 which is mounted in a carried by a bar 65 attached to the frame of the machine. A spring 62 serves to hold the arm carrying the support roller 61 in the support position. A positive checking action, if desired, is brought about by an extension 64 of the roller arm which inthe support position abuts against the bar 65. The arm 12 of the shifting fork -1 also has an extension 17 moved with the shifting fork 1 (see FIG. 5) into a position behind the extension 64 of the roller arm so that the extension 64 is held rigidly between the extension 17 and the bar 65 to prevent the spport roller 61 from being swung out of position. In FIG. 6 the device described is shown in the phase following ejection, in which the support roller 61 has just been swung back into the support position and the displacing fork 1 is ready to insert the next cans K, and K, when the driver 2 has reached its starting position again. i

It is also possible to provide rigidly arranged support parts 6 and 67, one for each can, as is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this case it is, however, necessary to actuate the shifting means in a particular manner. The two rig idly mounted support parts 6 and 67 carry rollers which extend into the ejection or outward paths of the cans K, and K,,, respectively. During the lateral insertion of the cans into the filling position by means of the displacing fork l the driver 2 is drawn back completely into the position shown in broken lines (FIG. 7). As soon as the fork 1 has reached its insertion position, it remains in this position and the driver 2 displaces the can a little bit further in the direction of sliver travel until the cans K, and K come to abut against the support parts 6 and 67 as shown in full lines in FIG. 7. The cans are now centered in the filling position.

When the cans are filled the displacing fork 1 first releases the cans by moving upwards so that now the driver 2 can move the cans, which are no longer laterally held, past the rollers carried by the support parts 6 and 67. The return movement of the driver 2 and the displacing fork 1 and the insertion of the next pair of cans is carried out in the same manner as is described in the case of the other embodiments of the invention. In this case as well more than two cans can be changed when the number of displacing arms 111 and of support rollers 6 is increased.

The device in accordance with the invention can also be used in the case of can-changing systems in which the cans although inserted in a direction perpendicular to the sliver travel direction in the machine, first take up reserve position K1' and K2"', respectively at the machine in order to be moved by the driver or second displacing means 2 in the sliver travel direction into the filling positions K1 and K2. FIG. 9 shows, for example, such a construction in which for each can two tilting support rollers 61 are provided. In accordance with the type of cans, the spring force may be sufficient to support the cans suitably and center them in the filling position. In order to insure reliable operation it is, however, also possible to provide additionally means for positively checking the support rollers 61, the means comprising push rods 24 provided for the respective support rollers 61. These push rods are normally held by springs 25 in retracted positions. By the driver 2 the cans K, and K are'displaced into the filling position until they reach the support rollers 61. In this operation the driver 2 pushes the push rods 24 by means of the abutments 23 so that the push rods come to be in front of the extensions 64 of the roller arms and prevent the arms swinging to enable of the support rollers 61 to move outof can-holding position.

The insertion of the next cans into filling position occurs only after the driver 2 has been moved back into its starting position. This releases the push rods 24 so that during the next feed movement of the driver 2 the empty cans are moved into the filling position and these empty cans push the full cans into the ejection position. v

During such movement the support rollers 61 can be moved out of the way by the pressure of the full cans against them which overcomes the force of springs 62 tending to hold the rollers in their can-restraining positions. As soon as the full cans have moved past the support rollers 61, the support rollers are swung back into their support positions'by the springs 62 ready to be locked positively in their canrestraining positions by the push rods 24 when the driver 2 moves to the position of FIG. 9.

- Further modifications in the invention are possible. In particular the arrangements of the support rollers can be changed over from one embodiment to another and can be combined with different can changing arrangements. Also the type of drive means or shifting means is not limited to the embodiments shown.

We claim:

1. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising fixed support means consisting of a roller mounted rigidly in a predetermined location, first moving means for moving a can in a first direction forward into the filling position and in effecting such can movement moving into a blocking position spaced from said rigidly mounted roller a distance less than the width of the can for blocking forward movement of the can in a second direction transversely of such first direction out of the filling position and said first moving means also preventing rearward movement of the can in the direction opposite such first direction during the filling operation, and said first moving means being thereafter movable away from said rigidly mounted roller to be spaced therefrom a distance greater than the width of the can, and second moving means movable, after the can is filled, to shift the can from the filling position around said rigidly mounted roller and to move the can forward in such second direction.

2. The device defined in claim 1, the first moving means including means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, an additional fixed support means including an additional roller mounted rigidly at another predetermined location, the first moving means in blocking position during the filling operation also being spaced from said additional rigidly mounted roller a distance less than the width of another can of such plurality of cans for blocking forward movement of such another can in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, and the first moving means also preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, and the second moving means including means for shifting such another can around said additional rigidly mounted roller and for moving the plurality of cans forward in such second direction.

3. The device defined in claim .1, the first moving means including means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, and additional support means in addition to the fixed support means for blocking forward movement of another can of such plurality of cans in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, the first moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation'for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction. during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, the second moving means including means for moving the plurality of cans forward in the second direction, and mounting means mounting said additional support means for movement between can-blocking position and a position out of the path of forward movement of such another can in such second direction, the first moving means including holding means for holding said additional support means in canblockingposition when the first moving means is in blocking position.

4. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising first moving means for moving a can in a first direction forward into the filling position and occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of the can in the direction opposite such first direction during the filling operation, second moving means for moving such can, after being filled, forward out of the filling position in a second direction transversely of such first direction, support means for blocking forward movement of the can in such second direction out of the filling position during the filling operation, and mounting means mounting said support means for movement between can-blocking position and a position out of the path of forward movement of the can in such second direction, said first moving means including holding means for holding said support means in can-blocking position when said first moving means is in blocking position.

5. The device defined in claim 4, in which the first moving means includes means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, the first moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, the second moving means includes means for moving the plurality of cans forward in the second direction, and the support means includes means for blocking forward movement of such plurality of cans in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, the mounting means mounting the support means for movement of its blocking means into a position out of the path of forward movement of the plurality of cans.

6. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising moving means for moving a can forward into the filling position and occupying a blocking position during'the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of the can during the filling operation, support means for blocking forward movement of the can out of the filling position during the filling operation including a stationary member and a movable member, mounting means mounting said movable member for movement between can-blocking position spaced from said stationary member less than the width of a can and a position out of the path of for ward movement of the can, and holding means actuated by said moving means for holding said stationary member in can-blocking position when said moving means is in blocking position.

7. The device defined in claim 6, in which the moving means includes means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filing positions, the moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, and the support means includes a plurality of path of forward movement of the plurality of cans. 

1. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising fixed support means consisting of a roller mounted rigidly in a predetermined location, first moving means for moving a can in a first direction forward into the filling position and in effecting such can movement moving into a blocking position spaced from said rigidly mounted roller a distance less than the width of the can for blocking forward movement of the can in a second direction transversely of such first direction out of the filling position and said first moving means also preventing rearward movement of the can in the direction opposite such first direction during the filling operation, and said first moving means being thereafter movable away from said rigidly mounted roller to be spaced therefrom a distance greater than the width of the can, and second moving means movable, after the can is filled, to shift the can from the filling position around said rigidly mounted roller and to move the can forward in such second direction.
 2. The device defined in claim 1, the first moving means including means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, an additional fixed support means including an additional roller mounted rigidly at another predetermined location, the first moving means in blocking position during the filling operation also being spaced from said additional rigidly mounted roller a distance less than the width of another can of such plurality of cans for blocking forward movement of such another can in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, and the first moving means also preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, and the second moving means including means for shifting such another can around said additional rigidly mounted roller and for moving the plurality of cans forward in such second direction.
 3. The device defined in claim 1, the first moving means including means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, and additional support means in addition to the fixed support means for blocking forward movement of another can of such plurality of cans in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, the first moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, the second moving means including means for moving tHe plurality of cans forward in the second direction, and mounting means mounting said additional support means for movement between can-blocking position and a position out of the path of forward movement of such another can in such second direction, the first moving means including holding means for holding said additional support means in can-blocking position when the first moving means is in blocking position.
 4. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising first moving means for moving a can in a first direction forward into the filling position and occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of the can in the direction opposite such first direction during the filling operation, second moving means for moving such can, after being filled, forward out of the filling position in a second direction transversely of such first direction, support means for blocking forward movement of the can in such second direction out of the filling position during the filling operation, and mounting means mounting said support means for movement between can-blocking position and a position out of the path of forward movement of the can in such second direction, said first moving means including holding means for holding said support means in can-blocking position when said first moving means is in blocking position.
 5. The device defined in claim 4, in which the first moving means includes means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filling positions, the first moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans in the direction opposite such first direction during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, the second moving means includes means for moving the plurality of cans forward in the second direction, and the support means includes means for blocking forward movement of such plurality of cans in such second direction out of filling position during the filling operation, the mounting means mounting the support means for movement of its blocking means into a position out of the path of forward movement of the plurality of cans.
 6. A sliver can-changing device adapted for use with sliver processing machinery supplying sliver to fill a can in a filling position, comprising moving means for moving a can forward into the filling position and occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of the can during the filling operation, support means for blocking forward movement of the can out of the filling position during the filling operation including a stationary member and a movable member, mounting means mounting said movable member for movement between can-blocking position spaced from said stationary member less than the width of a can and a position out of the path of forward movement of the can, and holding means actuated by said moving means for holding said stationary member in can-blocking position when said moving means is in blocking position.
 7. The device defined in claim 6, in which the moving means includes means for moving a plurality of cans simultaneously into filing positions, the moving means occupying a blocking position during the filling operation for preventing rearward movement of such plurality of cans during the operation of filling such plurality of cans, and the support means includes a plurality of movable members for blocking forward movement of such plurality of cans, respectively, out of filling position during the filling operation, the mounting means mounting said plurality of movable members for movement from blocking positions into positions out of the path of forward movement of the plurality of cans. 